Enraptured by Bach

San José, Costa Rica J. S. Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 John Nelson, conductor
Ramiro A. Ramírez, chorus master
National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Costa Rica
Michelle Areyzaga, soprano / Denise Gamez, mezzo-soprano / Edward Mout, tenor / Stephen Morscheck, bass

My name is Daniel Castillo, from Costa Rica. Last night I went to the first of the two presentations of the Johann Sebastian Bach Mass in B Minor, conducted by Mr. John Nelson. It was Awesome! I have no words to express my happiness. I really felt God's presence in every instrument, every voice, every movement of the hands of the conductor. Soli Deo Gloria.

The mission of Soli Deo Gloria was met last week in the capital city of Costa Rica, as large crowds gathered to welcome the first known performances of J. S. Bach's celebrated Mass in B Minor in the history of Central America. Conductor John Nelson, a native of Costa Rica, led the National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and a quartet of American soloists in two highly-anticipated performances. Excerpts from the first of two performances are featured in the video below.

Maestro John Nelson communicated a magnificent and moving conception of the Mass in B Minor, aimed for life-giving tempos which were adjusted to the liturgical context and forged a balanced integration of the Choir, instrumental ensemble and soloists. - translated from La Nacion

. . .

The CSN and its conductor, Maestro Ramiro A. Ramírez, prepared themselves during almost a year for the Mass’ premiere and all the dedication fruitfully paid off: the conveyance and fervor of the ensemble were made palpable; the attack was firm and secure and the entrances precise... - translated from La Nacion

For supporters of Soli Deo Gloria, the warm reception of the Costa Rican public was supremely rewarding. Prolonged applause from capacity crowds at both performances was reinforced by glowing comments from project participants.

To learn this music was an amazing experience for me . . . In the 'Crucifixus', when Maestro Nelson showed us how to express the pain that Jesus felt when he was crucified, it transmitted all that energy, all that pain to us. So, when I am singing it, I am thinking “Wow!” . . . To have the opportunity to experience this is amazing, it’s simply amazing. - Miguel, choir member

Soli Deo Gloria expresses tremendous thanks to its partners in this project, most especially the Strachan Foundation, the National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of Costa Rica, conductor John Nelson and soloists Michelle Areyzaga, Denise Gamez, Edward Mout and Stephen Morscheck. Your vision, generosity and dedication have touched the lives of so many people!

Sometimes I really have to fight back the tears because I’m really easily touched by music--especially the 'Crucifixus' and 'Et resurrexit'; that is really exciting for me! - Ericka, choir member

The Costa Rican Mass in B Minor project is the latest in an ongoing international series of sacred music productions sponsored by Soli Deo Gloria called Project Uplift. The first such production took place in 1996 in Shanghai, where Soli Deo Gloria assisted the first performances of Johannes Brahms' Ein Deutches Requiem in the history of China. A special Mandarin translation of the German Requiem was prepared for the performances so that the work could be sung in the vernacular of the Chinese audience.

Subsequent SDG Project Uplift initiatives have supported concerts in Russia, Armenia, Ukraine and the U.S. Current plans for the program include possible collaborations with orchestras in Ghana, China and Romania.

This experience has been amazing since this is the first time this masterpiece has been performed in Latin America . . . This is a significant experience for us and it’s very touching, especially since it’s a Mass . . . As we are singing to God, that creates a special atmosphere and energy that definitely connects us to God…” - Marybell, choir member